I used both PassPro & Schweser and each has its distinct advantages.
Passpro
- question bank gives immediate feedback with better explanations than Schweser.
- still uses question formats that have not been used in the past few years such as giving 3 statements and deciding if it is choice 1, choice 1 & 2, choice 2 & 3 or all 3 are correct.
- cost of notes, question bank, CFA Condensed and mocks are only $300 with purchase of CFAI texts.
- notes not updated as throughly as Schweser. I found material in the PassPro notes that was not in the 2004 LOS's. And the converse was also true - PassPro did not cover all the LOS's
- mocks not weighted based on 2004 guidelines.
Schweser
- notes more detailed than PassPro. I would not want to use PassPro notes only. There were items covered on the June 2004 level 1 exam that was not covered at all by PassPro. At least Schweser had the material in the notes. But neither provider had questions covering IAS standards.
- more expensive than PassPro.
- found it difficult to just test myself on 10 questions at a sitting. For some reason, the Schweser Pro wanted me to do 60 questions in a session.
I used both sets of notes and questions. My employer paid for Schweser's Platinum package, the text books, test registration fees, and a 4-day Schweser seminar. I paid the $300 for the PassPro package.
If cost is an issue, I would use Schweser notes and mocks in conjunction with the PassPro notes, mocks, and questions. That would cost around $700.
I watched 2/3 of the videos and I am not sure how helpful they were. The flashcards were of minimal value to me. I looked over them some during my lunch hour.
I read the Fabozzi book, Chance's derivatives book, and the AIMR Standards of Practice book. I tried to read the international text, but it was so dry that I almost fell asleep.